SPE Library
The SPE Library contains thousands of papers, presentations, journal briefs and recorded webinars from the best minds in the Plastics Industry. Spanning almost two decades, this collection of published research and development work in polymer science and plastics technology is a wealth of knowledge and information for anyone involved in plastics.
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Conference Proceedings
The True Cost of Snaps
Norman Staller, Stephen Petrie, May 2005
Snap fit assembly has many advantages over non-integral fastener techniques. Snaps can improve product cost by part reduction and reduced assembly labor. However, the cost and time for engineering and tooling for snaps probably are increased. While the piece part and assembly cost may be reduced by snaps, the up front time and costs may wipe out this gain unless the manufacturing volumes are very high.
Antioxidant Performance of Mixed Tocopherols in Styrenic Block Copolymers
R.M. Suffield, J.E. Kiesser, S.H. Dillman, May 2005
Mixed tocopherols containing a predominance of ?- tocopherol were evaluated for antioxidant performance in polybutadiene and polyisoprene based styrenic block copolymers using oxidative induction time as a measure of antioxidant performance. A conventional hindered phenolic antioxidant and ?-tocopherol (vitamin E) were evaluated in comparison. Mixed tocopherols exhibited significantly higher performance than the controls in both SIS and SBS polymers.
Benefits of Using Secondary Guide Rod with Lifter Core Assembly
Trevor D. Pruden, May 2005
Reactionary forces and bending moments within conventional lifter core rods require smaller rod angles, which can increase mold die height and foot print. A new approach to designing lifter cores utilizes a second guide rod that is parallel to the lifter rod. The resulting parallelogram results in the elimination of the bending moment seen in conventional single-rod lifter configurations. This approach allows for a greater lifter angle, reducing the necessary die height and mold footprint.
Experimental Measurements of Degree of Fill in a Co-Rotating Twin Screw Extruder
Yingping Zhang, Costas Tzoganakis, May 2005
Degree of fill is a key factor in extruders because it can affect pressure profiles, residence time distributions, and mixing performance. In this paper, the fully filled length and pressure profiles in a co-rotating twin screw extruder were measured experimentally. The fully filled length in a conveying section prior to a kneading block shows a linear relationship with specific throughput. We also explored the effect of the kneading disk configurations (staggering angles and thickness) on the fully filled length.
Structure and Properties of Elastomeric Propylene-Based Fibers and Film
P. Dias, H. Wang, R. Nowacki, A. Chang, J. Van Dun, P. Ansems, S. Chum, A. Hiltner, E. Baer, May 2005
The solid state structure and mechanical properties of fibers and oriented films made from a new class of propylene based elastomers (PBE) are investigated. The effect of processing conditions on the solid state structure is probed with density, WAXS, DSC and OM birefringence measurements. Relationships between fiber and film process conditions, solid state structure, and mechanical behavior are described.
Improved Solvent Stress Testing for Polycarbonate
Mark Yeager, Ignacio Osio, Christopher Bright, May 2005
Solvent stress testing has proven to be an effective method for identifying areas of elevated stress in parts and assemblies made from polycarbonate. Dilutions of various stress-cracking agents have been developed to quantify the levels of molded-in and/or applied stresses. Unfortunately, there has not been good correlation between the various test solutions. Calibration tests were performed for this study to develop guidelines to improve the resolution and accuracy of solvent stress testing, particularly at low stress levels.
Controlling Intra-Cavity Melt Flow and Weld Strength through New Runner Design Technology
John Beaumont, Christopher Stewart, Mark Ezzo, May 2005
The development of high sheared laminates are shown to have a significant effect on filling pattern. New methods are shown to manage these hotter high sheared laminates to control filling pattern and position them so as to increase weld line strength.
Molecular-Scale Reinforcement of Glassy Networks
Kevin J. Calzia, Alan J. Lesser, Anne Forcum, May 2005
Improvements in mechanical and thermal properties of glassy networks have been made through the use of a unique class of molecules that reinforce the network at the molecular scale, commonly referred to as fortifiers. In our studies, fortifiers are incorporated either as an additive or as a reactive monomer in the network. Each approach provides different benefits in properties. Several mechanisms of fortification are discussed and correlated to the observed improvements in properties.
Effect[GTLim1] of Slip Agent and Talc Surface Treatment on the Scratch Behavior of TPOs
B. Browning, G.T. Lim, A. Moyse, H.-J. Sue, May 2005
A set of model TPO systems, with and without slip agent and talc surface treatment, was investigated using a linear load increase scratch test methodology. Our findings suggest that both the presence of slip agent and surface treatment of talc fillers[GTLim2] can greatly reduce scratch visibility. The underlying mechanisms are discussed.
Synthesis of Uniform ZnO Nanorods via Wet Chemistry Approach
Kwang-Jik Lee, Y. Li, H.-J. Sue, May 2005
ZnO nanords were synthesized using spherical ZnO nanoparticle precursor solution. Our unique wet chemistry approach can produce uniform ZnO nanorods at a much lower concentration than expected. We used transmission electron microscopy to characterize the rodlike shape evolution of ZnO quantum dots. The underlying mechanisms for the formation of ZnO nanorods are described and discussed.
Creep Behavior of Sisal Reinforced Starch Based Blends
V.A. Alvarez, V.P. Cyras, A. Vázquez, May 2005
Creep measurements were carried out on starch based blend reinforced with sisal short fibers. The selected matrices were MaterBi-Y (cellulose acetate) and MaterBi-Z (polycaprolactone). The studied temperatures were higher than Tg for MaterBi-Z and lower of Tg for MaterBi-Y and as expected, the behavior was different. Different models were applied and allowed the comparison with other materials.
Geometry Influence in Cavity Pressure Curves Registration
M. Candal, R. Morales, Y. Rondón, May 2005
The geometric factors influence of injected pieces on the cavity pressure curves behavior during the injection process was studied. Mold cavity sensors were placing in the most critical areas in the pieces. The geometries were evaluated using an injection process simulator program. Substantial changes in the cavity pressure curves in pieces with different thickness were obtained. The shape factor is an important geometric factor that showed smaller variation in the cavity pressure registrations in pieces of small length.
Investigation of Molecular Entities Present in Maleated Polypropylene Using LSM
Susnata Samanta, Jeff Toke, John Muzzy, Charles L. Liotta, May 2005
Maleated polypropylene (mPP) is often used as an adhesion promoter in polypropylene composites. Poly (maleic anhydride) (PMA) or oligomers of maleic anhydride are often present in maleated polypropylene, but they do not contribute to the adhesion of polypropylene to glass fiber reinforcements. PMA can be detected by confocal laser scanning microscopy.
Failure Analysis of a PEX Piping Crimp System
Dale B. Edwards, Thomas P. Jeka, May 2005
Premature failures have occurred in some PEX piping systems that utilized a stainless steel crimp ring to attach the PEX pipe to copper or brass fittings. Leaks in these systems were traced to a non-uniform crimping of the PEX tubing around the circumference of the fittings. Some leaks were also due to cracking of the crimp rings as a result of the crimping process and corrosion of the rings.
Flow Field Simulation of the Modular VCR in Continuous Mixer
Luo Bing, Sun Shiqiang, Ma xiuqing, May 2005
VCR (Various clearance rotor) is a new type of continuous mixer’s modular rotor. The flow field of different configurations flow field of VCR has been simulated in this paper. According to the simulation result, the pressure, velocity and viscosity field are obtained. The average shear stress, shear rate and shear degree in deferent configurations are calculated by post-process program. Meanwhile, the mixing ability of different configurations flow field is compared.
The Effect of Process Conditions on Part Quality in Microinjection Molding
Robert Aufiero, May 2005
Micromolded parts produced using a range of injection velocities, mold temperatures, melt temperatures, and hold conditions were examined for part quality. Part dimensions were measured using an optical comparator and residual stresses were evaluated under polarized light. Results are discussed in terms of the material properties and processing conditions.
Statistical Approach to Evaluate Composite Damage (Design of Experiment and Evaluation)
Jaehyung Ju, Roger J. Morgan, Terry C. Creasy, Steven Hafernik, E. Eugene Shin, May 2005
The objective of this research is to develop a methodology for combined mechanical and thermal synergistic test for M40J/PMR-II-50 [90/0]s, a uni-tape composite material; and its analysis by using a statistical approach. Four different controlled factors (mechanical strain, temperature range of thermal cycling, number of thermal cycles, and heating rate), which degrade the composite, are evaluated in terms of both primary effects and interaction effects quantitatively.
A Study of Micro Injection Molding Optical Fiber Ferrules
Zheng-Guan. Lin, Shi-Chang Tseng, Allen Peng, C.T. Huang, May 2005
This study focused on plastic micro injection molding optical fiber ferrules. Each ferrule has a through hole in the center. The inner diameter is 125±1?m. How to keep the micro core pin at the center becomes a critical issue. A guiding mechanism is introduced to reduce the chance of pin’s mis-alignment and increase life time. The design concept of presented guiding mechanism is also suitable for molding micro tubes, especially for high aspect ratio cases.
Properties of Injection Molded Amorphous Polymer for Punching
Takayuki Inuzuka, Akihiro Fujita, Asami Nakai, Hiroyuki Hamada, May 2005
Deformation and crack-formation of holes during punching were investigated for injection molded polystyrene (PS) and polycarbonate (PC). Amount of deformation for both polymers increased with increasing punching temperature and with decreasing punching speed. The extent of deformation for both polymers were especially large when punching was conducted at temperatures above the glass transition temperature (Tg) of the polymers. For PS, two types of cracks appeared. However, only one type of crack appeared for PC.
Monte Carlo Modelling of LDPE on a Molecular Level; Relating Molecular Structure to Polymer Properties
Peter Neuteboom, Sjoerd van der Hem, May 2005
Although LDPE is amongst the oldest polymers, it is also the polymer with one of the most complex molecular structures. Using a Monte Carlo method a model has been developed with which it is possible to calculate the detailed structure of each and every single molecule. The molecular characteristics have been related to analytical methods like GPC, NMR and DMS. Moreover the effects of the molecular structure on the polymer properties have been studied. The model has proven to be a valuable tool in product and process development.
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